Category: crafty

fall garland and mantel

I made a fall garland! It was one of my goals this month and I’m happy I pulled it off.

I had several ideas for types of garlands I wanted to make (and I do hope to get to the others eventually) but I knew I wanted it to be easy and I didn’t want to spend much money on it. One day on a walk I came across all these perfect pine cones and my mind was made up.

I already had the twine at home and I only had to pick up some screw eye hooks from Home Depot which were cheap and I have a bunch left over for other stuff now. I ended up using this basic method but I didn’t do the gold leaf. I think the hardest part of the whole project was measuring. I also recommend using garden gloves if your pine cones are prickly like mine were!

So after I hung my garland I wanted to make the whole mantel a little more fall-ish. But because I wanted to use what I have I just put up a couple of soup bowls that look like pumpkins and changed out one of my planters. I will be the first to admit that it is definitely missing something but this is the most fall decorating I have ever done so it is progress for me. :)

Yay! My plan is just to add at least one holiday decoration each year and eventually I will have a festive house for each occasion. So far so good!

October 21, 2013
just for fun craft inspiration

Here are a few ideas for “just for fun” crafts that I might try this month to fulfill one of my goals. They are all super simple and cute, so maybe I’ll get to all of them before too long!

1. himmeli – my hanging plant is dying so I want something to hang in its place and this looks cute. The straw version probably wouldn’t be significant enough for that spot but I’d like to try it first before I take on a bigger version like this.

2. sharpie-decorated mug – I’ve seen tutorials on this a bunch of places, but I really want to do it because I don’t have any fun mugs at all.

3. painted vase – I have a bunch of boring clear vases that this would be perfect for. Such a simple touch but it makes a big difference.

4. leather shape keychain – my car key broke off from the rest of my keys and since it’s the main one I use anyway I’d love to make it a keychain for itself. If I don’t do this soon I will probably lose my key at some point. :)

5. stained letterpress block – I need more simple, cute, graphic decorations for random places. Love this idea.

October 17, 2013
project life 2013 : weeks 38 – 39

Weeks 38 and 39 are from September 16 to 29th.

As I talked about yesterday, a magical thing happened over the weekend where Meredith was in an incredibly good mood the entire time and I was even able to do some crafting and work around the house while she was awake. Usually she is a demander of 100% of my attention but for some reason she happily entertained herself for awhile. She also took good naps and spent some time with David, so all this to say, I spent more time on this spread than usual and it was so much fun.

Most of this is just normal, everyday stuff.

A rare family photo!

We found out that we are having a boy during this time so I decided to devote an entire insert to that. I haven’t been focusing too much on the pregnancy (in life or with documentation) so I figured this was worth a little extra.

It was fun just to play around with papers. The front of the insert:

I blurred all the ultrasound photos because it just seemed weird not to.

The back of the insert:

On to the right side of the page. Mostly back to normal stuff.

The hospital visit wasn’t exactly normal though!

I have high hopes to complete another spread this coming weekend and then I’ll be caught up. Such a great project.

October 15, 2013
list 9 : when i need a time out

This past weekend was great, but it was also exhausting so that I feel like I need a weekend from the weekend, you know? Anyway, this topic seemed appropriate as I recover from all the intense productivity. :)

This actually turned out to be one of my favorite lists in appearance, simple as it is, mostly because my Instax picture actually turned out looking good! I think it’s way easier to get a good shot of something far away than up close.

find a cozy corner and do something calming that I love (read, stitch)

take a good shower

eat something yum

have a cup of coffee

nap (if possible)

phone a friend (or mom)

drive somewhere alone

Next month: I’ll be posting on November 4, and let me know if you’re going to join in and want the topic ahead of time.

***

Confused by Book of Lists? Read this post! See all of my lists here.

October 7, 2013
quick takes

one

I am so tired today. It’s been too much week. We’ve had something planned every night this week except for one, and that night the toddler was a hellion so I’m just beat. It was good stuff that we were doing: dinner with family, church, and our anniversary dinner (we went here and it was delish) but I’m just not used to having so much to do after work. Tonight we have to prep our house for carpet installation which is a lot of work, but I’m also super excited about the result.

two

This week at work has been lighter than usual which I am very grateful for, so I have had some computer time. I managed to blog every day this week, an accomplishment in itself, and I am also caught up with blog reading, Craigslist browsing, and my Pinterest feed. But the side effect is that I have a bunch more ideas and inspiration now that I still have no time to execute.

three

Speaking of crafts that I have no time for, here is an update on my autumn sampler:

I haven’t worked on it since last weekend but it’ll get done…eventually.

four

And here is how my niece’s stocking is going:

I’m pretty happy with it so far and it’s still a really fun project. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are at work on some of the pieces so I think there might actually be a chance that we finish it in time.

five

Here is what I want to get done this weekend, ideally: carpet installed and everything put back, regular chores, Project Life spread, list 9 for Book of Lists, some Photoshop work for a couple of blog posts, replace the outlets in the bedroom, visit the craft store to choose yarn for my blanket, a quick “just for fun” craft that I have supplies for, an IKEA trip, and painting the shelves in the bedroom. Plus I have a baby shower and church small group to attend. Sooo my plans might be overstretching things a bit. It doesn’t hurt to dream though, does it?

October 4, 2013